Major set back for League of Ireland.
The call-up by Alan Kelly to the UEFA Premier Development Referees Group is a major set back to anybody trying to address one of the biggest weaknesses in the domestic game. Every time the issue of poor refereeing is now raised, we'll have the people with vested interests or tunnel-vision telling us that UEFA has given Irish Referees its stamp of approval.
I would admit to not knowing much about Kelly, because as a Langer, he hasn't made too many appearence in the northern part of the country and he maybe a fairly good ref. But one things for sure, some of his colleagues fall well short of the required standard and they couldn't be let anywhere near a UEFA or international match. The appointment of Kelly will be used to brush the problem of sub-standard refereeing in the League of Ireland under the carpet.